Arauto is a turn-based strategy board game focused on territorial conquest, designed for online play on PC with support for three to six participants. Players place armies on territories, launch attacks using dice rolls, secure entire continents for bonus reinforcements, and exchange territory cards to build larger forces while pursuing a hidden personal goal known only to them.
Gameplay
The core loop centers on managing limited resources across turns in a shared map. Each player deploys units to adjacent territories and resolves conflicts through dice battles that allow up to three dice per side. Successful attacks expand control, while holding full continents grants ongoing reinforcement bonuses at the start of each turn. Territory cards collected from conquered areas can be traded in sets of increasing value to receive additional armies, creating a steady progression toward dominance. A secret objective adds tension, as it might require controlling specific continents, maintaining a set number of territories, or eliminating a particular opponent's forces entirely. Matches support drop-in and drop-out play, with the session persisting until players return.
Game Modes
Two distinct map options define the experience. The Classic mode uses a real-world layout featuring 42 territories divided into six continents, where participants simply choose a color to represent their forces. The Mythic mode expands the board to the fantasy setting of Ancalora on the larger Asterra map, which includes 54 territories across eight realms. Here each player selects one of ten races such as knights, elves, dragons, the undead, or fairy riders, with optional passives that provide unique traits to influence strategy. Both modes accommodate the same core rules of army placement, dice combat, continent bonuses, and card trading.
Multiplayer and Features
Matches take place in public or password-protected rooms, allowing play against friends, computer opponents, or a mix of both. Bots offer two difficulty settings to adjust challenge levels. A built-in profile tracks career statistics including wins, preferred races, maps played, and objectives completed. Additional tools include integrated rules explanations, a full match log for reviewing past actions, and in-game chat. The game supports seven languages for interface and text: English, Brazilian Portuguese, Latin American Spanish, Simplified Chinese, Russian, German, and French. All of this runs on a solo-developed title currently in Early Access, where the developer plans to incorporate community feedback for refinements and additions such as achievements.
Is It Worth Playing?
Arauto suits players who enjoy deliberate, map-based conquest games with elements of risk through dice rolls and hidden goals. The combination of classic territorial mechanics with the option for fantasy races and passives provides variety without overcomplicating the rules. Online focus with bot support makes it accessible for both group sessions and solo practice, while the ability to rejoin ongoing matches reduces frustration from interruptions. As a work in progress from a single developer, the current version delivers a complete playable experience centered on the two maps and core systems, with further content expected through updates. Those seeking a straightforward digital adaptation of board-game conquest will find the verified features align closely with that style, particularly if they value strategic planning over fast-paced action.
